Count of Hartlepool

[anthw]

Hi,

The following article appered in the Wednesday 25^th April edition of the Hartlepool Mail. I thought it might be of some interest to Forum Members

IN April 1973 the Mail reported how a former German air .ace with the title "Count of Hartlepool" was still alive and had just celebrated his 90th birthday. But the so-called count would not have brought back very many happy memories in Hartlepool where he led a First World War zeppelin raid that cost the town eight lives. SIMON WALTON reports on this bizarre story.

A BIZARRE story of an airman's exploits and his strange title came to light in a letter 34 years ago this week.

The Mail revealed how a former German flyer, Lieutenant Commander Martin Dietrich, had just turned 90 and was alive and well in Germany.

The commander picked up the title Count of Hartlepool from the Kaiser's High Command after he disobeyed orders to lead a zeppelin raid over the town on March 13, 1918.

The cost of his disobedience was eight, dead, 26 wounded and a large amount of damage to houses and other property.

The story of the airman's title was contained in a letter to the Mayor of Hartlepool, Alderman Ethel Sprintall, from Hartlepool-born and educated Captain Vyvyan Howard, Who in 1973 was attached to the British Embassy in Bonn.

He also included an article on Lt Commander Dietrich which had been published in a German magazine, Marine, to celebrate the top zeppelin pilot's 90th birthday. "

The article read that on the fateful date, the Count of Hartlepool's zeppelin, along with two others, had been sent to attack England. When he neared the coast; Dietrich received an order calling off the attack. But he ignored it and the article continued: "The commander therefore took upon himself tremendous responsibility and only a complete success could save him. The attack was a complete success. "Hartlepool lay well lit up under the zeppelin attack that day."

The report said that from a height of around 15,00Oft, 21 bombs fell from the zeppelin L42, causing substantial damage to the town. It added: "On the return journey L42 met the forecast unfavourable winds. The airship landed back at his home airfield after a 22-hour journey with very little fuel left. The commanding officer was, at the start, extremely angry with Dietrich. He listened in silence to Dietrich's report then smiled and said 'in recognition of your successful attack I name you Count of Hartlepool'. The article finished by saying that the Kaiser later marked the report "very gratifying".

Despite the official report that 21 bombs were dropped by the airship, it was later maintained that only 17 had been used. Another account of the raid said five bombs fell in fields between the workhouse and West Hartlepool, one near -Richardson Westgarth's engine works, one near the timber ponds, one on a dock quay, two on railway sidings at the back of Vulcan Terrace and six in the Mainsforth Terrace, Burbank Street, Temperance Street, Frederick Street and South Street areas. It was the latter six that accounted for the dead and injured and the bulk of the damage to property, the Mail's report concluded.

No further information is available on what became of the Count of Hartlepool or when he died. But his legacy remains a grim one for Hartlepool.

Does anyone have any more info?

Thanks

Anth

[Bob Coulson]

Good picture of Dietrich and account of this action in The Babykillers by Thomas Fegan.

Interestingly another Dietrich was in command of a zeppelin that raided Hartlepool in November 1916.

Bob.

[anthw]

Bob,

Thanks for the reply, were the two Dietrichs related or was it just coincidence?

Do you have the ISBN number for the book you mentioned? I'll try to get a copy.

Thanks again

Anth

[Bob Coulson]

Book just refers to his namesake Dietrich so it looks like they were not related.

ISBN No = 0-85052-893-3, a very interesting read, available from Pen & Sword.

Bob.

[anthw]

Bob,

Thanks for that, I've ordered a copy.

Thanks again

Anth

[Jarvis]

Anth, Im originally from Hartlepool and once owned a copy of a book entitled West Hartlepool in the Great War.

Inherited from my great aunt Mona I lent it out one day around 1973 and never saw it again.

It had many photographs of all the damage done by both the Zeppelin and Naval bombardment.

It recounted the zeppelin tale minute by minute from the point of view of the towns people, etc.

A book to look out for if you are ever lucky enough to come across it.

Alas, I have only memories of it now.

Jarvis

[anthw]

Hi Jarvis,

Thanks for that info. I'll keep an eye out from the book!

Thanks

Anth

[Jarvis]

Anth, another point of interest (?), the Zep bombed Hartlepool Football ground, Victoria Park Town Stand which was eventually replaced by the Cyril Knowles stand after about 80 years. Up the 'pool.

Jarvis

[anthw]

Jarvis,

Up indeed. Pools have gained promotion this season and may even win the Second Division Championship this Saturday. Not bad for the team that holds the record for the most re-election applications in the old Fourth Division.

Thanks

Anth